Acrochordonous Plaque, Fibroepithelial Polyps, Skin Tags

Acrochordons or fibroepithelial polyps (FEPs) are tumor-like lesions of the skin reported to occur in humans and animals. Sometimes they become numerous, closely located growths forming a plaque, predominantly located at the neck. Although the cause of these lesions remains unclear, there is a breed predisposition for Bulldog-like breeds [1]. Although acrochordons are benign tumors, on rare occasions, histologic examination of a clinically diagnosed FEPs reveals a basal or squamous cell carcinoma.

An acrochordon is usually skin colored or hyperpigmented, and it may appear as surface nodules or papillomas on healthy skin. Most acrochordons vary in size from 2-5 mm in diameter, although larger acrochordons up to 5 cm in diameter are sometimes evident. The most frequent localizations are the neck and the axillae, but any skin fold, including the groin, may be affected [3]. Acrochordons are also called skin tags, soft fibromas, fibroepithelial polyps, FEP, fibroma pendulans, pedunculated fibromas, and soft warts. Hormone imbalances may facilitate the development of acrochordons, (for example, high levels of growth hormone in acromegaly) [3].

If fibroepithelial polyps occur in the urinary tract, animals may develop urinary incontinence, urinary tract infection, and/or increased thirst and abnormally frequent urination [2].

Hormones
Hormones are naturally occurring substances that stimulate or turn off the growth or activity of specific cells or organs. In cancer treatment, the environment is changed either by adding or removing hormones, thus antagonizing the growth-stimulating hormones that promote growth of cancer cells in certain tissues.

Growth Hormone
Also called somatotrophic hormone (STH), the growth hormone is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland mainly in the growth period, where it stimulates the lengthening of the long bones, induces protein synthesis and inhibits insulin, thus raising the level of blood sugar. Oversecretion during development produces gigantism but excess later in life gives rise to acromegaly. Deficiency of the hormone results in pituitary dwarfism.

Source: REF FILE #124

Animal Calendars